Saint Paul City Council Meeting - September 9, 2026
Saint Paul City Council Meeting - September 9, 2026
The Saint Paul City Council met on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 3:31 PM to 5:04 PM in the Council Chambers. Six members were present at roll call (Councilmember Johnson absent), with seven present for later votes. The meeting covered a consent agenda, separate discussion items, first readings of ordinances, public hearings, and legislative hearing consent items.
Consent Calendar
- Communications & Receive/File (Items 1–3): Budget amendments for Public Works sewer construction, a new Neighborhood STAR Year-Round project (United Church of God in Christ Inc.), and Financial Services grant management software funds were received and filed.
- Consent Agenda (Items 4–32): Adopted as amended. Notable items included:
- Railway track removal approval (RES 26-1356).
- Multiple street reconstruction and alley improvement assessments (e.g., University Ave., Pleasant Ave., Pelham Blvd., Wheelock/Grotto).
- Ordinance permits for Highland Bridge infrastructure (Ford site).
- Police Department grant applications for recruitment, DWI enforcement, and Violence Against Women Act.
- Claim settlement of $12,335.47 for Cathryn Teigen.
- Liquor license ownership changes for Mexico 32 Cocina, Bird In Hand, La Cucaracha, and new license for Lulus Salsas.
- Adverse action against Tobacco Shop license with a $1,000 matrix penalty.
- City–Xcel Energy Memorandum of Understanding.
- Partial waiver of Sustainable Building Ordinance for Baker Park restroom.
- Appointments to Capital Improvement Budget Committee and Workforce Innovation Board.
- Donation of surplus patrol car to Saint Paul Police Historical Society.
- Acceptance of GovAI Coalition travel reimbursement.
- Amendments to Conduit Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds for Emma Norton/Restoring Waters and Nellie Francis Court projects.
- Labor agreement (2026–2028) with Saint Paul Manual & Maintenance Supervisors Association.
- Memorandum of Agreement with Plumbers Local 34 for Minnesota Paid Leave contributions.
- Items 33, 34, and 35 were pulled for separate discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 44 – Curb Cut Appeal (649 Snelling Ave N, Domino’s Pizza): Neighbor Bonita Stepa expressed opposition, arguing that the appeal seeks to benefit delivery drivers only and that traffic management should follow code as seen at nearby Taco Bell. Julie Hellwick noted that the variance was denied for condition E, not D, and questioned the pre-filed resolution draft. Appellant Eric Stoddard (Domino’s) advocated for retaining the curb cut to create a safe traffic pattern separating delivery vehicles from customers, with signage and design modifications to prevent traffic from entering the neighborhood.
Discussion Items
- Item 33 – Welcoming Week 2026 (RES 26-1483): Council recognized the city’s participation in Welcoming Week, reaffirming the contributions of immigrants and refugees. Speakers from the Saint Paul Immigrant Refugee Program and Welcoming America highlighted the week’s theme “The Stories We Share: The Courage to Connect.” The resolution was adopted unanimously (7–0).
- Item 34 – Restoring Honorary Street Co-Naming (RES 26-1502): Councilmember Bowie moved to restore the practice, discontinued in 2017, and modernize it with a standard operating procedure. After debate, a version (version two) that included an exception for the next resolution (honoring Elder El-Kati) and a commitment to develop criteria was adopted 6–1 (Councilmember Jost opposed). The resolution itself then passed 6–1.
- Item 35 – Co-Naming for Elder Mahmoud El-Kati (RES 26-1543): Council honored Professor Emeritus of History Mahmoud El-Kati by co-naming Milton Street and Iglehart Avenue. Speakers highlighted his decades of teaching, mentorship, and community impact. The community committed to bearing signage costs. Adopted 6–1 (Councilmember Jost opposed).
- Item 36 – Drone Grant Application (RES 26-1399): Laid over from September 2; withdrawn by Council President Noecker because the council does not support expansion of the drone program until concerns are addressed.
- Items 37–41 – First Readings of Ordinances:
- Salt Storage Regulation (Ord 26-39): Staff explained the MS4 permit requirement to regulate bulk salt storage (≥1 ton) to protect surface waters. Laid over for second reading/public hearing on September 16.
- Xcel Energy Franchise Agreements (Ord 26-40, 26-41, 26-43, 26-44): Climate Action Coordinator Liz Boyer presented highlights of new gas and electric franchise fees. Key changes include: simplified rates, decreased residential electric fee (median user saves ~$11/year), increased residential gas fee (median user pays ~$11 more – an overall wash), and a 50% rebate for low-income households enrolled in LIHEAP (9,821 participants). Commercial/industrial rates increase. A new Memorandum of Understanding with Xcel outlines joint energy efficiency and emission reduction efforts. All four ordinances laid over for second reading/public hearing on September 16.
- Item 44 – Appeal of BZA Decision (Curb Cut Variance): After a public hearing, the council discussed the appeal. Councilmember Coleman moved to grant the appeal, citing staff recommendation that the curb cut improves safety by separating delivery and customer traffic. The appeal was granted (7–0).
Key Outcomes
- Welcoming Week resolution adopted unanimously (7–0).
- Restoration of honorary street co-naming (version two) adopted 6–1; El-Kati co-naming adopted 6–1.
- Drone grant application withdrawn.
- Salt storage and Xcel franchise ordinances laid over to September 16 for second reading and public hearing.
- Sound variance for Light the Night (Blood Cancer United) adopted (7–0).
- $160,000 donation from Como Friends to Como Zoo and Conservatory adopted (7–0).
- Curb cut appeal granted (7–0), reversing the Board of Zoning Appeals denial.
- Legislative hearing consent agenda (items 45–50) adopted as amended (7–0).
- Next meeting: September 16, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Johnson, Jost. Kim. Here. Yang. Here. Bowie. Here. Coleman. Here. Council President Naker. Here. Uh, six present, one absent, that being Councilmember Johnson, who's expected shortly. Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to our St. Paul City Council meeting. We appreciate you being here, and we invite everyone to join us in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One nation under God, indivisible liberty and justice for all. Consent agenda items four through thirty-five are before you for your consideration. And I know that we are pulling items thirty-three, thirty-four, and thirty-five for separate consideration. Is there anything else to come off of consent? Seeing none, I'll take a motion from Vice President Yang to approve the balance of the consent agenda. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. All opposed. Seven in favor, none opposed. The consent agenda is adopted as amended. Item 33, Resolution 26-1483, recognizing the city's participation in welcoming week 2026. And I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome uh Mr. Leho up, uh, to thank him so much for his work defending our neighbors and to speak a little bit more about welcoming week, which could not be more important this year. So thank you, and uh turn over the mics to you. Thank you, uh Council President. Uh Council members, uh, good afternoon. Thank you for entertaining this resolution. Um recognizing uh welcome week and uh St. Paul's participation in welcoming week this year. Uh welcoming week, sponsored nationally by Welcome America brings communities together to strengthen connections across differences and affirm the contributions of immigrants, refugees, new Americans, and longtime residents. For the last seven years, St. Paul has celebrated welcoming week, and we have held events in partnership with the City of Minneapolis and have worked with Welcoming America to foster a sense of welcoming and belonging in our community. This year, the St. Paul Immigrant Refugee Program and the City of Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs have collaborated in developing this twin resolution to affirm our shared regional commitment to welcoming communities and to recognize that every resident benefits when our cities foster belonging, safety, connection, and opportunity for all. There is so much that we do together that could not be done by one of us alone. And also I'm really grateful for the welcoming spirit that exists here in the city of St. Paul is exemplified by this resolution and the important work that you do. Thank you very much. Thank you. Welcome. Thank you. My name is Brianna Broberg, and I am the director of the welcoming network of Welcoming America.
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